How to Lift Weights With Ordinary Household Items?

Answer 1

Lifting weights have numerous health benefits for both men and women -- but you don't always have access to gym equipment.

Thankfully, you don't need any gym equipment to get in shape. To lift heavy without spending money on barbells or dumbbells, replace them with these household alternatives.

Water Bottles

You chug bottled water constantly, but empty water bottles can also double as makeshift dumbbells. Here's how to make them into dumbbells:

• Fill the water bottle with water to make it slightly heavy. For additional weight, fill it up with sand or dirt.
• Secure the water bottle with a water bottle top. Tape the neck of the water bottle with tape, preferably Duct Tape.
• Hold each water bottle in your hand and complete any bicep or tricep exercise. Good exercises include bicep curls, tricep extensions, and dumbbell bench presses.

Long, easy-to-grab water bottles are ideal; small, wide bottles are not. Avoid water jugs if you can -- they're not ideal for dumbbell workouts.

Backpacks

Chances are that you probably have at least one backpack lying around the house -- use it to your advantage. Wear it while doing squats or lunges to help strengthen your quadriceps, hamstrings and glutes.

Here's how to turn it into a strength-burning device:

• Fill it with sand or books. To reduce the weight, fill the backpack at its halfway point. To make it heavier, fill it up to its brim.
• Zip it up and place tape around the seam. This will help prevent any spills.
• Put on the backpack and complete your exercises. Additionally, you can hold the backpack against your chest.

Backpacks are also excellent for amping up the intensity of your runs or walks. Simply fill it up as usual and go for a morning jog or walk. You'll find it harder to keep up, due to the heaviness of the backpack.

Logs

Logs are in abundance -- with trees being felled every day, it's fairly easy to get your hands on at least one sturdy log. Many logs are also given away for free; check your local newspaper for listings.

Logs, by their general nature, are heavy, making them excellent for building muscle. Possible strength exercises: deadlifts, squats and overhead presses. Make sure to wear gloves -- logs can roughen up your hands.

Here's how to customize your log to your needs:

• Clean the log. Get rid of any loose edges, bark or splinters.
• Using a knife or ax, carve one or two grooves into the log.
• Use the grooves to grip onto the log and exercise as usual.

Other Household Items

Although logs, water bottles and backpacks can help get you in shape, they're not the only household items that matter. To get in shape, consider these household items as well:

• Pails
• Books
• Gym bags
• Empty soda bottles
• Laundry baskets

Remember, you don't fancy equipment to get in shape -- just the right tools to succeed!